Which Way Freedom by Joyce Hansen Read Free Book Online Page A

take all of you to the Sea islands. Big rice plantations with more African than white man. I still have friends an’ people there who hide an’ protect you. They help you make your way north. Wilson never find you.”
    â€œAn’ we stay together,” Easter muttered.
    Buka stood up stiffly. “Tomorrow, soon as the family sleep, meet me at the creek.”
    â€œWhen the clock ring nine times they all in bed,” Easter said.
    â€œAnything we have to carry?” Obi asked.
    â€œI take care of all that. I get britches for Jason an’ Easter an’ other things we need.”
    â€œBritches?” Easter said.
    â€œDress you like a boy. Jennings put out advertisement for you as a girl. If we caught, it better that patteroller think you a boy.”
    Buka shuffled slowly toward the door, and Obi wondered how far the old man would be able to travel. “How long it take to get to the Sea islands?” Obi asked.
    â€œThree nights.” He cleared his throat. “Easter, Obi, come close. Tomorrow at nine, you be sure to come to the creek. Now, this important. If we stopped by patteroller, we say we goin’ to a funeral at Brantley’s farm. I get pass.”
    â€œSuppose Wilson or Master John catch us—we tell them that too?” Obi asked.
    â€œDon’t say nothin’ about funeral or the farm to them. Only say that to the patteroller if they run up on us.” He paused. “If Master John beat you till you faint, say nothin’.”
    â€œI know when they all sleep,” Easter said. “Master andWilson snore to wake the dead. They sleep fast these days too, from bein’ in the field.”
    Buka placed his hands on both their shoulders. “You make sure Wilson an’ Master John don’t catch you leavin’.”
    The old man opened the door. Round-shouldered and shriveled, he seemed to disappear into the hedges. Easter followed him, her bare feet gliding lightly over the pebbles.
    Obi closed the barn door and climbed into the hayloft. After dreaming so long of escape, the time had finally come. He still felt uneasy about taking Easter and Jason—especially Jason. But Buka was leading them. That should make the trip less difficult and dangerous.
    Obi was up the next morning before dawn after a fitful sleep. He and Easter decided at breakfast not to tell Jason anything until it was time to leave. Easter did warn Jason, however, not to do anything that day to anger Wilson or Master John.
    As the day wore on, Obi hoped Buka was able to get everything they needed for the trip. Probably someone at the plantation would give Buka clothing and food. He wondered, though, how Buka would obtain a pass.
    Easter and Obi worked hard, not wanting to do anything to arouse suspicion.
    As soon as the sun set behind the oak grove, Obi wanted to take off across the fields and go to the creek, but he had to wait. Wearily he led the mule to the barn, with Wilson leading the other mule behind him.
    At the barn entrance, Wilson left his mule for Obi to take inside and empty the sacks.
    Jason brought in the cows while Obi unharnessed the mules. After he put the cows in their stalls, the boy climbed up to the hayloft and threw down hay for the animals. He worked without his usual chatter.
    Wilson came to the barn door and broke the silence. “We’re takin’ the tobacco to Phillips tonight, after supper.”
    â€œYes, suh,” Obi said, trying not to show any emotion.Though he knew they could get to the plantation and return to the farm in more than enough time to meet Buka, this sudden change in their routine bothered him. Usually they took the tobacco to the plantation in the morning.
    He tried to stay calm as he helped Wilson hitch the wagons to the mules and load the leaves. Maybe Wilson only wanted to make sure they didn’t miss any time in the field tomorrow.
    Jason jumped out of the hayloft, his eyes asking what his mouth was afraid